You Best Start Believing in Ghost Stories...Halloween on the Dream | The End P40 8/15

[FreezinRafiki]

Once everyone was back on board from the day at Castaway Cay, we set our plan in motion. We had been planning this for months. We were going to take the ship, throw the crew overboard and set sail looking for adventure. But we needed a seasoned captain that knew the seas and had the grit, determination and skills to pilot a ship of this size. Someone with nerves of steel to face down a tropical storm. Someone that had been through it all and lived to tell the tale. Someone that could swing down a bottle of rum and still be able to fight off a hoard of invaders. We had...Evan. Wearing flip flops.

But of course, our small family of 4 wouldn't be able to take the entire ship by ourselves, even with Madison distracting them with her cuteness. No, we needed some outside help. So we hired on a few mercenaries. They came highly regarded, but I had my doubts. Instead of a parrot, the guy had a little stuffed Dug.

Our plans quickly fell apart, however. We had intended to storm the dining room and demand food. But then we remembered that all we had to do was walk in, sit down, and they just bring you whatever you wanted anyway. Suddenly, the idea of throwing the crew overboard seemed a bit harsh - especially since that would include the cooks and servers. So we shelved our plans for the takeover and just went to dinner at the Royal Palace.

Having the main entrance right off of the Grand Atrium pretty much makes the Royal Palace the flagship of the dining rooms. And if you had any doubts, just take your little sanitizing wipe, clean your hands, and walk in.

The room was elegant to the extreme, with paintings and decor of all of the classic Disney Princesses.

It seemed odd being dressed as pirates and sitting in this fancy dining room. Not that it stopped us or anything.

Being pirate night, the servers we all dressed in their pirate gear and instead of the normal Royal Palace menu we had a special "Pirates in the Caribbean" menu. Again, I don't recall what I had. But looking back at the menu with things like "Jack Sparrow's Barbecue Marinated Beef Short Ribs", "Captain Hook's Macadamia Nut-dusted Mahi Mahi ", "The Dutchmen's Dijon-Crusted Sirloin of Beef", I don't see how I could go with any of it.

I just wanted to post that picture so you know that Evan ate more than just Mac & Cheese and Chicken Strips on the cruise.

Although it appears that the vegetables made him so delirious that he switched from "pirate" to "cowboy". Let that be a lesson to you - go easy on the vegetables.

Yes, pirates with less than perfect eyesight wore glasses. Over their eye patches. Because it just doesn't make any sense to wear them under the eye patch.

You know what else they did to pass the time while they were out on the lonely sea? Licked spoons and stuck them to their noses. True story.

I didn't take many food pictures, but this Mickey skull and cross bones was cool.

After dinner we wandered out to the atrium and found a ship's photographer just hanging around. Well, Madison is never one to let a photographer be bored.

Coming Up Next: Buccaneer Blast!

 

[amandaw]

Great update! I love that y'all dressed up for Pirates Night. We may do that on our next cruise.

And I'm so jealous that y'alls servers dressed in pirate gear also! When we did the 3 night cruise on the Dream, they just wore their normal attire.

Royal Palace is a gorgeous dining room! Last night I was wondering if we should cancel our May cruise because I was worried I would miss the parks too much. But, you're helping me remember how fun & wonderful it is to be on a Mickey boat!

 

[afwdwfan]

OWe had been planning this for months. We were going to take the ship, throw the crew overboard and set sail looking for adventure.

Good plan. If you're going to take a ship over, you might as well go big.

But we needed a seasoned captain that knew the seas and had the grit, determination and skills to pilot a ship of this size. Someone with nerves of steel to face down a tropical storm. Someone that had been through it all and lived to tell the tale. Someone that could swing down a bottle of rum and still be able to fight off a hoard of invaders. We had...Evan. Wearing flip flops.

Wait a minute. Are you saying he isn't really qualified?

Suddenly, the idea of throwing the crew overboard seemed a bit harsh - especially since that would include the cooks and servers. So we shelved our plans for the takeover and just went to dinner at the Royal Palace.

They've suckered you in with their fake kindness, to keep you from throwing them overboard, all so they can force you from the ship in a few days. Don't believe me? We'll see about that.

And if you had any doubts, just take your little sanitizing wipe, clean your hands, and walk in.

How many wipes does it take to clean a pirate's hands?

The room was elegant to the extreme, with paintings and decor of all of the classic Disney Princesses.

Shouldn't Elizabeth Swann be represented there somewhere on pirate night? I mean she's the Governor's daughter, that's kind of like a princess.

I just wanted to post that picture so you know that Evan ate more than just Mac & Cheese and Chicken Strips on the cruise.

We already knew that. He had some candy too.

Yes, pirates with less than perfect eyesight wore glasses. Over their eye patches. Because it just doesn't make any sense to wear them under the eye patch.

Mr. Smee was making glasses cool in the pirate world long before you. I'll give you credit for the eyepatch with the glasses though.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Once everyone was back on board from the day at Castaway Cay, we set our plan in motion. We had been planning this for months. We were going to take the ship, throw the crew overboard and set sail looking for adventure. But we needed a seasoned captain that knew the seas and had the grit, determination and skills to pilot a ship of this size. Someone with nerves of steel to face down a tropical storm. Someone that had been through it all and lived to tell the tale. Someone that could swing down a bottle of rum and still be able to fight off a hoard of invaders. We had...Evan. Wearing flip flops.

Evan throws a mean bodycheck. I could see him pulling this off.

Our plans quickly fell apart, however. We had intended to storm the dining room and demand food. But then we remembered that all we had to do was walk in, sit down, and they just bring you whatever you wanted anyway. Suddenly, the idea of throwing the crew overboard seemed a bit harsh - especially since that would include the cooks and servers. So we shelved our plans for the takeover and just went to dinner at the Royal Palace.

Your pirate takeover sounds a lot like the Spanish Inquisition.

It seemed odd being dressed as pirates and sitting in this fancy dining room. Not that it stopped us or anything.

You guys look awesome.

But looking back at the menu with things like "Jack Sparrow's Barbecue Marinated Beef Short Ribs", "Captain Hook's Macadamia Nut-dusted Mahi Mahi ", "The Dutchmen's Dijon-Crusted Sirloin of Beef", I don't see how I could go with any of it.

I remember those ribs as being particularly awesome.

I just wanted to post that picture so you know that Evan ate more than just Mac & Cheese and Chicken Strips on the cruise.

It looks more like he's trying to smoke it.

Although it appears that the vegetables made him so delirious that he switched from "pirate" to "cowboy". Let that be a lesson to you - go easy on the vegetables.

Duly noted. I'll make this change in my diet immediately.

Yes, pirates with less than perfect eyesight wore glasses. Over their eye patches. Because it just doesn't make any sense to wear them under the eye patch.

Now how are you supposed to see the eyepatch?

You know what else they did to pass the time while they were out on the lonely sea? Licked spoons and stuck them to their noses. True story.

Long wait for the meal, huh?

After dinner we wandered out to the atrium and found a ship's photographer just hanging around. Well, Madison is never one to let a photographer be bored.

Truth.

Coming Up Next: Buccaneer Blast!

Awesome! I was wondering what this looked like from the top deck.

 

[middlepat]

Once everyone was back on board from the day at Castaway Cay, we set our plan in motion. We had been planning this for months. We were going to take the ship, throw the crew overboard and set sail looking for adventure. But we needed a seasoned captain that knew the seas and had the grit, determination and skills to pilot a ship of this size. Someone with nerves of steel to face down a tropical storm. Someone that had been through it all and lived to tell the tale. Someone that could swing down a bottle of rum and still be able to fight off a hoard of invaders. We had...Evan. Wearing flip flops.

Is that the Dread Pirate Roberts?

Our plans quickly fell apart, however. We had intended to storm the dining room and demand food. But then we remembered that all we had to do was walk in, sit down, and they just bring you whatever you wanted anyway. Suddenly, the idea of throwing the crew overboard seemed a bit harsh - especially since that would include the cooks and servers. So we shelved our plans for the takeover and just went to dinner at the Royal Palace.

Smart shift in tactics.

The room was elegant to the extreme, with paintings and decor of all of the classic Disney Princesses.

Where is princess Madison?

Oh, there she is.

I just wanted to post that picture so you know that Evan ate more than just Mac & Cheese and Chicken Strips on the cruise.

Is baby corn technically a vegetable?

Although it appears that the vegetables made him so delirious that he switched from "pirate" to "cowboy". Let that be a lesson to you - go easy on the vegetables.

I guess so. Pic to prove it.

Duly noted. I'll make this change in my diet immediately.

Phew, an oblivious captain we can handle, an oblivious cowboy... that would be scary.

I didn't take many food pictures, but this Mickey skull and cross bones was cool.

That is pretty cool. Tasty too, I'm sure.

After dinner we wandered out to the atrium and found a ship's photographer just hanging around. Well, Madison is never one to let a photographer be bored.

She should be given an honorary Photographer's Union Membership card since she keep so many of them employed.

Your pirate takeover sounds a lot like the Spanish Inquisition.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition...

 

[shan23877]

Great update! Royal Palace looks beautiful, did Madison love it?

Great pirate gear! Sounds like a great night.

 

[Dugette]

Great pirate costumes. Looks fun. I love the Dug-parrot!

 

[MEK]

Your pirate outfits are so cute! I mean handsome. I mean......well, you know what I mean. I especially love Madison's dress. Perfect.

The restaurant is also gorgeous! Great start to the evening.

 

[Poolrat]

Pirate night looks like a ton of fun.

Lots of great memories there.

 

[jecskc]

It is fun seeing your photos and seeing the Dream again . We really loved our cruise ..... best vacation EVER!!!!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

We were going to take the ship, throw the crew overboard and set sail looking for adventure. But we needed a seasoned captain that knew the seas and had the grit, determination and skills to pilot a ship of this size. Someone with nerves of steel to face down a tropical storm. Someone that had been through it all and lived to tell the tale. Someone that could swing down a bottle of rum and still be able to fight off a hoard of invaders…

Sounds like you understand the requirements…

We had...Evan. Wearing flip flops.

You just didn’t have the resources…

But then again, the flip-fops alone should make up for his lacking a few of those other minor requirements.


Great picture by the way

we needed some outside help. So we hired on a few mercenaries. They came highly regarded, but I had my doubts. Instead of a parrot, the guy had a little stuffed Dug.

I do not like the cone of shame…

Our plans quickly fell apart, however. We had intended to storm the dining room and demand food.

Which they’d have given freely

But then we remembered that all we had to do was walk in, sit down, and they just bring you whatever you wanted anyway.

It’s a trap!

Suddenly, the idea of throwing the crew overboard seemed a bit harsh - especially since that would include the cooks and servers.

Not necessarily.
What did you offer them in the way of compensation?

So we shelved our plans for the takeover and just went to dinner at the Royal Palace.

Yah… that’s a pretty good Plan-B.

It seemed odd being dressed as pirates and sitting in this fancy dining room. Not that it stopped us or anything.

Wouldn’t stop any of us either.
Besides… which of the dining rooms seems suited to hosting a bunch of scurvy dogs?



Trick question!
Answer: All of ‘em.

Although it appears that the vegetables made him so delirious that he switched from "pirate" to "cowboy".

Or was he simply trying to protect himself form some other aroma that might have been released at the table?

Say like… “the smell of Excellence” per chance?

After dinner we wandered out to the atrium and found a ship's photographer just hanging around. Well, Madison is never one to let a photographer be bored.

True Story!





You have some very fine images in this post.
Looks like y’all had an exceptionally good time cruising.

 

[sica1799]

Hi there! We will be on the Wonder this Halloween! I wanted to get a feel for it. TY for such a fun report! Were you guys on board during Dia De Los Muertos? (Nov 1st) & did they do anything for that? I wonder (no pun intended lol) if they will do something since we will be in Mexico. Hmmmm

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Great update! I love that y'all dressed up for Pirates Night. We may do that on our next cruise.

I'll be danged if I'm letting the kids have all the fun! You should totally do it!

And I'm so jealous that y'alls servers dressed in pirate gear also! When we did the 3 night cruise on the Dream, they just wore their normal attire.

That's a bummer - we're going on a 3 night cruise in March. Maybe I'll at least bring an extra eye patch for them to wear.

Royal Palace is a gorgeous dining room! Last night I was wondering if we should cancel our May cruise because I was worried I would miss the parks too much. But, you're helping me remember how fun & wonderful it is to be on a Mickey boat!

Sweet! Another commission for me! Now if only I could turn these in to cash somehow....

Good plan. If you're going to take a ship over, you might as well go big.

It was either this or an it's a small world boat.

Wait a minute. Are you saying he isn't really qualified?

"Qualified" is such a loaded word, isn't it?

They've suckered you in with their fake kindness, to keep you from throwing them overboard, all so they can force you from the ship in a few days. Don't believe me? We'll see about that.

I think you're on to something, Andy.

How many wipes does it take to clean a pirate's hands?

Just one. But it has to be roughly the size of a Volvo.

Shouldn't Elizabeth Swann be represented there somewhere on pirate night? I mean she's the Governor's daughter, that's kind of like a princess.

You'll have to take that up with the head of Disney Cruise Line.

We already knew that. He had some candy too.

Touche.

Mr. Smee was making glasses cool in the pirate world long before you. I'll give you credit for the eyepatch with the glasses though.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Evan throws a mean bodycheck. I could see him pulling this off.

You should see him with a sword. From a safe distance. And behind ballistics glass.

Your pirate takeover sounds a lot like the Spanish Inquisition.

Among our chief weapons are fear, surprise, blah blah blah.

You guys look awesome.

Thanks!

I remember those ribs as being particularly awesome.

It looks more like he's trying to smoke it.

Well, smoke 'em if you got 'em.

Duly noted. I'll make this change in my diet immediately.

I knew that if I could only save one person, it would be you.

Now how are you supposed to see the eyepatch?

What is this, the Spanish Inquisition?

Long wait for the meal, huh?

Umm, no. It really doesn't take long to stick a spoon to your nose.

Awesome! I was wondering what this looked like from the top deck.

The smell was better, too.

Is that the Dread Pirate Roberts?

No one would surrender to the Dread Pirate Evan.

Smart shift in tactics.

Us pirates isn't dumbs. Just bad at grammer.

Where is princess Madison?


Oh, there she is.

It doesn't take her long to show up, does it?

Is baby corn technically a vegetable?

Snow peas really aren't made of snow, so I think so.

I guess so. Pic to prove it.

Arrrr...Saddle sores.

Phew, an oblivious captain we can handle, an oblivious cowboy... that would be scary.

That is pretty cool. Tasty too, I'm sure.

Arrrrr...um, I mean, yes, yes it was.

She should be given an honorary Photographer's Union Membership card since she keep so many of them employed.

Probably not a good idea. She'd eventually figure out the timer or a remote shutter release, which would put a lot of them out of business.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Great update! Royal Palace looks beautiful, did Madison love it?

Great pirate gear! Sounds like a great night.

Oh yes! She loved it!

Great pirate costumes. Looks fun. I love the Dug-parrot!

I was flipping through my pictures, looking for ones to include. I saw that one and thought "yup, I have at least one reader that will enjoy that one!"

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Your pirate outfits are so cute! I mean handsome. I mean......well, you know what I mean. I especially love Madison's dress. Perfect.

It's OK, we were going for cute. If we had fake blood stains, then handsome would work.

The restaurant is also gorgeous! Great start to the evening.

The food was good too!

Pirate night looks like a ton of fun.

Lots of great memories there.

So much fun! And there's a lot more to come!

It is fun seeing your photos and seeing the Dream again . We really loved our cruise ..... best vacation EVER!!!!

I wasn't sure how it would go. Would there be enough to do? Would we feel trapped on the ship? But you're right - Best Vacation Ever!*

*So far.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Sounds like you understand the requirements…

You just didn’t have the resources…

But then again, the flip-fops alone should make up for his lacking a few of those other minor requirements.

Perhaps a 3 1/2 foot tall pirate in flip flops would strike more fear into someone.

Great picture by the way

Thanks! The kids loved that porthole.

I do not like the cone of shame…

Which they’d have given freely

We've already been over this. It's not free, it's just pre-paid.

Not necessarily.
What did you offer them in the way of compensation?

Their Lives!

Yah… that’s a pretty good Plan-B.

Less clean up, too.

Wouldn’t stop any of us either.
Besides… which of the dining rooms seems suited to hosting a bunch of scurvy dogs?

Well, lets start a spreadsheet of all of the pros and cons for each dining room...

Trick question!
Answer: All of ‘em.

Oh, yeah. That works too.

Or was he simply trying to protect himself form some other aroma that might have been released at the table?

Say like… “the smell of Excellence” per chance?

Evan enjoys the smell of excellence. At least when he comes too that's what he tells me.

You have some very fine images in this post.
Looks like y’all had an exceptionally good time cruising.

Thank you! We really kind of did.

Hi there! We will be on the Wonder this Halloween! I wanted to get a feel for it. TY for such a fun report! Were you guys on board during Dia De Los Muertos? (Nov 1st) & did they do anything for that? I wonder (no pun intended lol) if they will do something since we will be in Mexico. Hmmmm

I'm sure Disney will do similar things on the Wonder as they did on the Dream.
Nov 1 was our Castaway Cay day and Pirate Night. I don't recall anything specific for Dia De Los Muertos, but I could imagine them doing something on the Mexican cruise.

Oh, and on this Trip Reports, not only are puns intended, they are encouraged.

 

[KatMark]

Barry, I finally am all caught up again. Because I have so many threads to catch up on and comment on (I haven't looked at your PTR in ages...I just updated mine and my trip is in two months), I'm not going to quote everything like I usually do.

Let's just say that you all made very handsome/beautiful pirates, and the restaurant is gorgeous.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Barry, I finally am all caught up again. Because I have so many threads to catch up on and comment on (I haven't looked at your PTR in ages...I just updated mine and my trip is in two months), I'm not going to quote everything like I usually do.

2 months? You're getting close!

Let's just say that you all made very handsome/beautiful pirates, and the restaurant is gorgeous.

Thanks Kathy!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Earlier I had mentioned how awesome the staff - especially the waitstaff - was on the ship. Well, Denis came through again. Before we left dinner that night, he came over and told us that we were lucky to have the early dinner seating, because that meant we got first chance a the best viewing locations for the fireworks. Then to top it off, he told us where those best viewing locations were. (Deck 12, Starboard side. Excellent view of the stage show, then front row seats for fireworks.)

So after dinner and our photo shoot, we rode the fancy Mickey Handed Elevator up to Deck 11 to see what was going on. The pools were already covered in preparation for the Mickey's Pirates In the Caribbean show, but the AquaDuck was still running, and casting some very cool glows.

Having gotten there plenty early, Bambi, her parents and the kids found front row seats for the show while I wandered around and took some pictures.

Slowly but surely, the deck filled up.

And will a deck full of people to entertain, it was on with the show!

As you would expect, the show was full of singing, dancing, yo-hoing, rum drinking...wait, no. That doesn't sound right. Maybe there wasn't any yo-hoing. I can't remember exactly.

But Captain Mickey did teach us all how to be a good pirate crew, including how to answer your captain (aye aye captain!) how to do a pirate jig (kind of like this guy: ) how to draw your sword (lots of "wooshing" sounds) a pirates favorite song (Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!) and finally, the thing that pirates love the most (the search for knowledge and understanding! - sorry, just kidding TREASURE!)

Since we all did such a good job learning to be pirates, Mickey made us all part of his crew! And just in time, too, because no sooner did that happen, when we were invaded by real pirates! (in OHSA approved safety harnesses. Can't be to careful when your commandeering a vessel.)

They were led by none other than that no good scallyway, Captain Hook!

Hook was about to take over the ship and make Mickey walk the plank. However, Mickey used one of the old pirate rules (they're really more like guidelines) and issues a Captain's Challenge. If his crew could pass the test, Hook would leave the ship while we all chanted. If not, Mickey would walk the plank and the Dream and all of her crew would belong to Hook. Pretty ballsy move there, Mouse. I hope you know what you're doing.

Sure enough, Hook and Mr Smee quized us on all sorts of pirate knowledge. I won't spoil it and tell you what happened, but let's just say several choruses of "Hook is a cod fish" rang through out the Dream that night.

Between the show and the fireworks we had a few hours of downtime to allow the late dinner seating people to, you know, eat. So we took turns wandering around the ship, changing out of our pirate gear and general tom foolery while other members of our crew held our spot up on Deck 12 Starboard. But soon enough, the Deck 11 filled up with people that either didn't listen to their servers or didn't have ones a cool as Denis.

Not only was our ship filling up, but scanning the horizon, I saw that we were no longer alone on the high seas. At least 3 other cruise ships had sailed closer. So while Disney Cruise Line may be the only ships allowed to shoot off fireworks at sea, they aren't the only ones that have a map of where the Disney ship are. Cheap-Os!

But while other ships may be close enough to see the fireworks, they don't get the awesome soundtrack that goes along with it! As you can imagine, it was quite heavy on Pirates of the Caribbean Scores, and just like Wishes, the fireworks are timed to the music. Awesome, awesome show! (My pictures don't do it justice, that's why I've only included a few)

Soon after the fireworks, another Captain appeared on stage.

Turns out Captain Jack is quite the performer as well. Even getting into trouble with, and this should be no surprise...

...the ladies.

Captain Jack's show then morphed into Club Pirate, a high energy, thumpy, thumpy music dance party. Normally, Madison's cup of rum - sorry, cup of tea, but not when it's already after 10:30pm after a full day of fun in the sun.

So we bid adieu to the pirates and headed back to our stateroom, where our towel animal of the day was clearly an elephant.

Because nothing says "pirating adventure on the high seas" like a land locked, lumbering beast.

Grandma & grandpa's elephant, however, was so cool. It wears sunglasses at night.

Coming Up: A day at sea.